Immunofenotüüpimist

Immunofenotüüpimine is a laboratory technique used to identify and quantify different cell populations within a sample based on their unique surface or intracellular markers. These markers are typically proteins that are expressed on the cell membrane or within the cell. The technique relies on the principle of specific antigen-antibody binding. Antibodies are labeled with fluorescent dyes or other detectable molecules. When these labeled antibodies are introduced to a cell sample, they bind to their specific target antigens on or within the cells.

The cells are then analyzed using a flow cytometer or a fluorescence microscope. A flow cytometer passes cells in a fluid stream through a laser beam. The fluorescent dyes attached to the antibodies emit light at specific wavelengths when excited by the laser. The intensity and color of this emitted light are detected and measured, allowing for the identification and counting of cells expressing particular markers. This process can be performed with multiple antibodies simultaneously, enabling the analysis of complex cell populations and their relationships.

Immunofenotüüpimine is widely used in various fields, including hematology for the diagnosis and monitoring of leukemia and lymphoma, immunology for studying immune cell subsets and their function, and transplant medicine for assessing graft rejection. It can also be applied to solid tissues after dissociation into single cells. The results provide quantitative data on the proportion of different cell types, which is crucial for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment decisions.